BFIT, Ginkgo Bioworks to Launch Biotechnology Manufacturing Associates Degree

December 20, 2021

Benjamin Franklin Institute of Technology (BFIT) announced today a partnership with Ginkgo Bioworks to develop an associate degree in biotechnology manufacturing. The program will be housed at the Nubian Square Life Science Training Center, a collaboration of organizations uniting to meet the demand for a well-trained and diverse life sciences workforce, with additional funding through a $100,000 grant from Kargman Charitable & Educational Foundation.

The training partnership between BFIT and Ginkgo Bioworks (NYSE: DNA) , the leading horizontal platform for cell programming, will focus on supporting the development of critical workforce skills in the areas of biotechnology, biomanufacturing, clinical research and bioengineering.  Program graduates will be prepared and trained for a wide range of entry- and mid-level technician positions focused on operations and maintenance, positions that are in high demand throughout the life sciences field. A 2020 report by the Massachusetts Biotechnology Education Foundation shows a 67 percent increase in life sciences jobs in Massachusetts over the past decade. The report also projected over 109,000 life science jobs in Massachusetts by the year 2024.

“Our partnership with Ginkgo Bioworks is another example of BFIT’s nimble approach toward identifying high demand industries that require a skilled workforce and offer opportunities for sustainable career development for our graduates,” said Aisha Francis, President and CEO of BFIT. “This new associate degree in biotechnology manufacturing positions our students to play a critical role in supplying a diverse and qualified workforce to fill Massachusetts’ booming life science and medical industry.”

“There is a common misconception that only those with advanced degrees are qualified for jobs in the life sciences field. It’s time for that misconception to be corrected,” said Reshma Shetty, co-founder, Chief Operating Officer and President of Ginkgo Bioworks. “BFIT has strong community connections and a reputation for successfully educating young people in technical careers, and Ginkgo is committed to producing the next generation of life sciences professionals. Through this partnership, we hope to create long-term career opportunities for individuals who may not have previously considered this field.”

A key enabler of the associate degree in biotechnology manufacturing program will be the Nubian Square Life Science Training Center, housed at Nubian Square Ascends in the Roxbury neighborhood. The training center will neighbor BFIT’s proposed 68,000 square-foot, state-of-the-art campus planned for the corner of Harrison Ave and Eustis Street, remaking the landscape and adding economic vitality to this historically and culturally rich area. Both projects were approved at the BPDA board meeting on December 16, 2021. The Nubian Square Life Science Training Center is also located in close proximity to Madison Park Technical Vocational High School, John D. O’Bryant School of Mathematics and Science, Dearborn STEM Academy, Roxbury Community College, and other academic institutions with young talent anxious to be prepared for life science careers. It will be designed to include lab training facilities; BFIT instructors will provide instruction to the talented students studying to enter the growing industries.

“We’ve entered into this strategic education partnership with corporate partners to make sure that community members from areas historically overlooked have access to new economy jobs that are in high demand and pay well. This is what equity in action looks like and it’s long overdue,” said Richard Taylor, Managing Director of the Nubian Square Ascends project.

The Nubian Square Life Science Training Center has already received a $100,000 grant from the Kargman Charitable & Educational Foundation to educate and explain Life Science career options to high school students, community college students, and adults seeking new careers in Boston.

About Ginkgo Bioworks

Ginkgo is building a platform to enable customers to program cells as easily as we can program computers. The company’s platform is enabling biotechnology applications across diverse markets, from food and agriculture to industrial chemicals to pharmaceuticals. Ginkgo has also actively supported a number of COVID-19 response efforts, including K-12 pooled testing, vaccine manufacturing optimization and therapeutics discovery. For more information, visit www.ginkgobioworks.com.

About Nubian Square Ascends

In addition to the Life Science Training Center, the Nubian Square Ascends project will offer affordable artist housing, artist studio and collaboration spaces, commercial space, a marketplace, a 300-car parking garage, and a multi-purpose cultural hall and theater that will support Nubian Square’s transformation as a new iconic space for the region. The proposed commercial space will promote job creation, which will bring purchasing power to support neighborhood businesses and create demand for the 48,000 sf marketplace on the ground floor. The marketplace will feature local artisans and makers and a food hall that showcases chefs from an on-site culinary arts program. For more information, visit www.nubiansquareascends.com.